Pentax P80 vs Sony A450

Below is a extended assessment of the Pentax P80 vs Sony A450, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the P80 (12MP) and the A450 (14MP) is fairly similar but the P80 (1/2.3") and A450 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The P80 was launched 5 months before the A450 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax P80 being a Compact camera and the Sony A450 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the P80 matches up versus the A450 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax Optio P80 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A450. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax P80 Gallery & Sony A450 Gallery.

If you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax P80 has outer measurements of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony A450 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax P80 vs Sony A450 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view size comparison of the P80 against the A450.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the P80 and A450 is 95 and 65 respectively.

Often, it is tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements only by going over specifications. The graphic here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the P80 and A450.

Plainly, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The P80 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony A450 will offer extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos way more aggressively.